Electric Dog Collar Fence

The electronic dog collars are used bastaste in Spain . This type of device serves to educate the dogs, with the help of electrical impulses transmitted to the neck of the animal and controlled by a remote control. However, these devices have defenders and firm detractors. Are electronic collars for dogs dangerous or harmful ? A recent study, which is discussed below, warns that these devices not only may not be effective, but also generate stress and anxiety in the furry companions .

Electric dog collars: are they dangerous?

The electric dog collar fence are more and more frequent in Spain . Just walk around the parks and talk with other dog owners to see that these devices to educate these pets proliferate.

This type of canine collars work, explain their manufacturers, because they transmit “painless and gentle” electrical impulses to the neck of the animal , graduated through a remote control. The objective of these gadgets is to correct unwanted behaviors , such as the dog escaping , barking uncontrollably, showing aggressiveness or pulling the leash during walks .

” Electronic collars want to help dog owners also when there are problems,” explains the Electronic Collars Manufacturers Association. “In addition, not all of these animals need this type of device, and positive reinforcement should be chosen, whenever possible, as the first method of education for dogs,” they point out.

Electric collars for dogs: do they have risks?

The electric collars have defenders, but also many detractors, and in places like Wales they have even banned them. So are these electric collars dangerous or damaging?

Laura Velilla is a canine educator and uses this type of necklaces in her sessions. “The electric collar is another tool for training the dog, not harmful for him, whose use must be responsible , because it is not always necessary, and must be accompanied by positive reinforcements, such as games and caresses,” says Velilla.

Although this type of electric necklaces for dogs has defenders, it also has strong detractors , such as the ethologist Alba Benítez, author of the blog Si mi perro hablara . “The electric collar avoids behavior in the dog through punishment, but never favors cooperation, does not offer any alternative learning and undermines our relationship with him, ” says Benítez. In addition, “I agree with Karen Overall, an ethologist and international reference, who is positioned against electric collars because it does not promote the ability of the owner to reflect. That is to say, this is no longer what he is doing wrong with his pet, if acting differently would achieve better results or if he is correctly covering the animal’s needs, “adds Benítez.

Electric collars are stressful for dogs

A recent study confirms what many animal lovers already suspected: the electric dog collars can be harmful and cause a significant increase of stress in dogs . The work, conducted with 63 dogs, has been conducted by experts from the University of Lincoln and funded by the Government of the United Kingdom, a country where the use of this type of canine training devices has also been extended.

“Dogs that are trained with electric collars are much more anxious, suffer more stress and yawn more, are also less likely to interact with other dogs and humans, ” explains Jonathan Cooper , research coordinator and university professor of behavior and animal welfare . The results of the study have been published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE .

Benitez agrees that the use of the electronic collar reduces the welfare of the furry companion . “And, finally, there are moral doubts: do we have the right to inflict pain on an animal to modify behaviors that, in most cases, are natural to their species, even if the owner considers them inappropriate? I do not think so” , concludes.

In other words: shortcuts do not work in canine education . And, moreover, as in the case of electric collars, they can even be dangerous for the furry companion. Therefore, the advice to teach the dog includes the following ingredients: patience, love, desire to learn with him and go to a trusted canine educator .